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1 – 10 of 95
Article
Publication date: 10 December 2019

Yeping Peng, Ghasem Bahrami, Hossein Khodadadi, Alireza Karimi, Ahmad Soleimani, Arash Karimipour and Sara Rostami

The purpose of this study is simulation of of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells are promising power sources for use in power plants and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is simulation of of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells are promising power sources for use in power plants and vehicles. These fuel cells provide a high level of energy efficiency at low temperature without any pollution. The convection inside the cell plays a key role in the electrochemical reactions and the performance of the cell. Accordingly, the transport processes in these cells have been investigated thoroughly in previous studies that also carried out functional modeling.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-phase model was used to study the limitations of the reactions and their impact on the performance of the cell. The governing equations (conservation of mass, momentum and particle transport) were solved by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) (ANSYS fluent) using appropriate source terms. The two-phase flow in the fuel cell was simulated three-dimensionally under steady-state conditions. The flow of water inside the cell was also simulated at high-current density.

Findings

The simulation results suggested that the porosity of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) is one of the most important design parameters with a significant impact on the current density limitation and, consequently, on the cell performance.

Originality/value

This study was mainly focused on the two-phase analysis of the steady flow in the fuel cell and on investigating the impacts of a two-phase flow on the performance of the cell and also on the flow in the GDL, the membrane and the catalyst layer using the CFD.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 30 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 August 2020

Ahmad Soleymani and Mehran Nosratollahi

The purpose of this paper is to simulate the thermal performance of fluidic momentum controller (FMC) actuators in two case, with and without thermal distribution system on a…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to simulate the thermal performance of fluidic momentum controller (FMC) actuators in two case, with and without thermal distribution system on a three-axis configuration of FMC actuators to an orbital period of satellite. The results show the effectiveness of using a storage with FMC actuators.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the challenges during a satellite’s orbital mission is unpredictable external temperature perturbations. This system used as a collaborative thermal subsystem for microsatellite temperature passive control. The operating principles of the system are that each fluid rings are used in a microsatellite surface with pumps to stabilize the satellite. All fluid rings are connected to the satellite thermal distribution system (storage).

Findings

Simulation results show that with using of thermal distribution system, damping of satellite different surfaces temperature is rapidly possible to the event of thermal disturbances.

Practical implications

Numerical simulation is obtained by ANSYS Fluent software and pressure-velocity coupling is SIMPLE method and spatial discretization is second order accurate and first order in time, viscous model is k-e. In this regard, a solver algorithm is also developed.

Originality/value

In space research fields about FMC application as actuators to satellite system design, main goal is to research about role of this system to attitude and determination control system (ADCS) of satellites, and no study is performed on its role to satellite temperature damping. This study is exclusively simulated thermal distribution system (includes a storage and its connections) of a microsatellite equipped with FMC actuators. The idea of using a storage for FMC actuators is the innovative step of this research.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 92 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 25 January 2022

Maryam Soleimani, Leo Paul Dana, Aidin Salamzadeh, Parisa Bouzari and Pejman Ebrahimi

This study explores the effect of internal branding on organisational financial performance and brand loyalty with the mediating role of psychological empowerment.

12085

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores the effect of internal branding on organisational financial performance and brand loyalty with the mediating role of psychological empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

The data gathered from 200 Pasargad insurance employees in Iran were analysed. Structural equation modelling and R were used to evaluate the model. Financial performance was measured by four concepts (ROI, ROE, Sales growth, ROA) based on available data from March 2010 to March 2020.

Findings

The results revealed that internal branding and psychological empowerment have no significant effect on financial performance, but both have a significant positive effect on brand loyalty. Likewise, the mediating role of psychological empowerment on the subject of the impact of internal branding on brand loyalty was confirmed. Furthermore, psychological empowerment did not play a mediating role in the impact of internal branding on financial performance.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study could be important for managers of organisations active in the insurance industry to highlight internal branding and enhance psychological empowerment and employee brand loyalty. Moreover, managers' perception of the effective role of psychological empowerment to enhance employee brand loyalty is another practical aspect of this research.

Originality/value

Considering the mediating role of psychological empowerment to the effect of internal branding on financial performance and brand loyalty is an innovative aspect of the present study. Meanwhile, the use of R software for VB-SEM was another point to surge the value of this paper.

Details

Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2515-964X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 October 2021

Abhijeet Vikramaditya Tiwari, Naval Bajpai, Deependra Singh and Vishal Vyas

This study aims to examine the hedonism attributes, memorable tourism experience (MTE), revisit intention and their relationships. This study explores the antecedents of hedonism…

1656

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the hedonism attributes, memorable tourism experience (MTE), revisit intention and their relationships. This study explores the antecedents of hedonism as physical environment, shopping at the destination, service quality, personalisation and exclusivity that influence MTE. The relationship of hedonism factors with revisit intention is also investigated in light of the mediation of MTE between them.

Design/methodology/approach

For this study, a sample of 600 tourists is collected by using the convenience sampling technique. The collected data is analysed by using the confirmatory factor analysis-structural equation modelling approach.

Findings

The empirically validated model recommends the significant relationships between the hedonism elements and revisits intention with the mediating effect of MTE. The findings suggest that tourists who positively perceive hedonism attributes are more likely to have positive MTEs, and they revisit the destination.

Originality/value

This research study examines the relationship of hedonism determinants with MTE of the tourists leading to their revisit intention for a tourism destination. It helps to understand MTE as the main component to affect tourists’ revisit intention for a destination and make sustainable tourism.

Details

International Journal of Tourism Cities, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-5607

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 October 2017

Milad Soleimani and Mohsen Shahandashti

Bioconcrete is widely believed to be environmentally beneficial over conventional concrete. However, the process of bioconcrete production involves several steps, such as waste…

Abstract

Purpose

Bioconcrete is widely believed to be environmentally beneficial over conventional concrete. However, the process of bioconcrete production involves several steps, such as waste recovery and treatment, that potentially present significant environmental impacts. Existing life-cycle assessments of bioconcrete are limited in the inventory and impact analysis; therefore, they do not consider all the steps involved in concrete production and the corresponding impacts. The purpose of this study is to extensively study the cradle-to-gate environmental impacts of all the production stages of two most common bioconcrete types (i.e. sludge-based bioconcrete and cement kiln dust-rice husk ash (CKD-RHA) bioconcrete) as opposed to conventional concrete.

Design/methodology/approach

A cradle-to-gate life-cycle assessment process model is implemented to systematically analyze and quantify the resources consumed and the environmental impacts caused by the production of bioconcrete as opposed to the production of conventional concrete. The impacts analyzed in this assessment include global warming potential, ozone depletion potential, eutrophication, acidification, ecotoxicity, smog, fossil fuel use, human toxicity, particulate air and water consumption.

Findings

The results indicated that sludge-based bioconcrete had higher levels of global warming potential, eutrophication, acidification, ecotoxicity, fossil fuel use, human toxicity and particulate air than both conventional concrete and CKD-RHA bioconcrete.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study to the state of knowledge is that it sheds light on the hidden impacts of bioconcrete. The contribution to the state of practice is that the results of this study inform the bioconcrete production designers about the production processes with the highest impact.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 15 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 7 November 2023

Musa Abdu, Abdullahi Abubakar Lamido and Adamu Jibir

The literature about the dynamics of Muslims' awareness and perception of waqf has been generally scarce,especially in Nigeria. As renewed efforts are emerging to develop a new…

1281

Abstract

Purpose

The literature about the dynamics of Muslims' awareness and perception of waqf has been generally scarce,especially in Nigeria. As renewed efforts are emerging to develop a new waqf regime in the country, this study examines this aspect in Gombe metropolis, Nigeria, with a view to identifying the key factors shaping people's perception and awareness towards waqf.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the objective of this study, primary data were collected through a survey among 494 business owners in the Gombe metropolis. The data were then analysed using probit and Tobit regression models.

Findings

The study found that altruistic behaviour, religiosity level, educational level and young age are among the factors that determine people's perception and awareness towards donating to waqf among business owners in Gombe. Altruism and young age embolden businesspersons to recognise the effectiveness of waqf institutions in solving socioeconomic challenges.

Practical implications

The findings of this study imply that waqf has huge potential in the study area and that with well-structured, organized waqf education programmes within the business community using diverse avenues, a robust waqf sector can be developed.

Originality/value

As far as the study area and the entire Nigerian Islamic economics and finance landscape is concerned, the study has explored a novel research area. Given the infant stage of empirical studies on waqf in Nigeria, there are virtually no previous attempts to examine the awareness and perception of businesspersons towards waqf; variables that are key to the development of an effective sector.

Details

Islamic Economic Studies, vol. 31 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1319-1616

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2017

Ahmad Hakimi, Amirhossein Amiri and Reza Kamranrad

The purpose of this paper is to develop some robust approaches to estimate the logistic regression profile parameters in order to decrease the effects of outliers on the…

2684

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop some robust approaches to estimate the logistic regression profile parameters in order to decrease the effects of outliers on the performance of T2 control chart. In addition, the performance of the non-robust and the proposed robust control charts is evaluated in Phase II.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper some, robust approaches including weighted maximum likelihood estimation, redescending M-estimator and a combination of these two approaches (WRM) are used to decrease the effects of outliers on estimating the logistic regression parameters as well as the performance of the T2 control chart.

Findings

The results of the simulation studies in both Phases I and II show the better performance of the proposed robust control charts rather than the non-robust control chart for estimating the logistic regression profile parameters and monitoring the logistic regression profiles.

Practical implications

In many practical applications, there are outliers in processes which may affect the estimation of parameters in Phase I and as a result of deteriorate the statistical performance of control charts in Phase II. The methods developed in this paper are effective for decreasing the effect of outliers in both Phases I and II.

Originality/value

This paper considers monitoring the logistic regression profile in Phase I under the presence of outliers. Also, three robust approaches are developed to decrease the effects of outliers on the parameter estimation and monitoring the logistic regression profiles in both Phases I and II.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 34 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 July 2020

Gamal Mohamed Shehata, Mohammed Abdel-Hakim Montash and Mohamed Raafat Areda

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships among a set of human resources management (HRM) practices, entrepreneurial traits (ET) and corporate…

1033

Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships among a set of human resources management (HRM) practices, entrepreneurial traits (ET) and corporate entrepreneurship (CE) in an emerging market such as the Egyptian one.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is explanatory in nature where it explains the causal relationships between the variables. Data was collected from 230 human resources (HR) managers and professional serving in top Egyptian financial institutions. Data was analyzed using structural equation modeling with relevant goodness-of-fit statistics.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that HRM practices have significant impact on the development of ET of personnel currently operating in the Egyptian financial institutions. Besides, the results confirm the effect of HRM practices on ET, which in turn have significant impact on CE.

Practical implications

This research provides an appropriate direction for HR managers on how to best design HR programs directed toward the development of strong CE orientation. It also highlights the core ET needed to enhance CE in emerging economies. The validated hypothetical relationships of this model serve as the baseline for those managers to plan, execute and measure the consequences of those HRM programs.

Originality/value

Although HRM is widely considered as a critical driving force for CE, there is a remarkable scarcity of empirical research examining the role of ET. The conceptual model tested in this research typically deepens both HRM scholars and managers’ understanding of how they can best connect HRM practices to ET and CE in emerging economies. The findings of this study open the door for a new venue of research in the HRM area of study, particularly in emerging markets that search for a fast-growing rate of economic prosperity. The findings of this study lend support for HRM as an antecedent to CE rather than vice versa.

Details

Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2053-4604

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 September 2017

Manlio Del Giudice, Ahmad Arslan, Veronica Scuotto and Francesco Caputo

The purpose of this paper is to address internationalisation of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by specifically focussing on collaborative entry modes. Despite…

1936

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address internationalisation of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by specifically focussing on collaborative entry modes. Despite significant research done on market entry and internationalisation strategies of firms, the use of collaborative entry modes by SMEs during internationalisation has not received a lot of attention. The authors contribute to foreign market entry studies by analysing the influences of cognitive dimensions on collaborative entry mode choice (equity vs non-equity modes) of SMEs in their international markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyse the influences of cognitive dimensions on the choice between equity-based vs non-equity-based collaborative entry modes. The empirical sample consists of internationalisation strategies of 345 Italian SMEs, where the authors used a questionnaire to collect the data. The authors use structural equation modelling to analyse influences of factors like asymmetric information, informal institutional distance, time trends of country, perception of size and resources of potential host country partners, and perception of host country partners’ power on this important market entry mode.

Findings

The results show that high informal institutional distance leads to preference of non-equity-based collaborative entry mode by Italian SMEs. The authors also find that positive time trends of the host country, positive perception of size and resource of the local partner, as well as the local partners’ power leads to preference of equity-based collaborative entry mode by Italian SMEs.

Originality/value

This study focusses on an ignored aspect of market entry strategies, i.e., equity vs non-equity collaborative entry mode choice of SMEs. The authors use insights from resource-based view and cognitive dimensions literature, to address the influences of five cognitive dimensions on the collaborative entry mode choice of SMEs during their internationalisation.

Details

International Marketing Review, vol. 34 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-1335

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 December 2020

Hamed Barjesteh, Elham Movafaghardestani and Ahmad Modaberi

COVID-19’s attack on the system of education left the learning of many students in limbo. For minimizing this effect, the current study sought to probe how Mobile-Assisted…

Abstract

Purpose

COVID-19’s attack on the system of education left the learning of many students in limbo. For minimizing this effect, the current study sought to probe how Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) can facilitate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ vocabulary knowledge. In so doing, a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest research design was adopted to check the effect of a newly developed application (i.e. visual vocabulary learning, hereafter VVL) in an EFL classroom.

Design/methodology/approach

To complying with the objective, a number of intermediate students (N = 40) were considered to participate in the study. They were assigned into a visual learning group (VLG) and a nonvisual learning group (NVLG) comprising 20 students in each. The VLG was directed to learn vocabulary by a VVL, and the NVG, a conventional method was employed for vocabulary instruction. An independent samples t-test was run to screen the efficacy of the intervention.

Findings

The finding revealed that participants in the VLG outperformed significantly in the posttest. The finding is beneficial for EFL teachers, syllabus designers, and material developers to take advantage of mobile applications in teaching vocabulary.

Originality/value

This study was conducted during COVID 19 between two groups in Iran.

Details

Asian Education and Development Studies, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-3162

Keywords

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